Transportationtransportation

City of Elmhurst Comprehensive Plan tRANSPORtation

Elmhurst’s transportation system consists of an extensive roadway network, including direct access to Interstate High- ways I-290, I-294, and I-88, an extensive commuter rail and bus transit system, as well as a well-connected pedestrian and bike network. This transportation network allows for easy and accessible travel within the City and excellent con- nections to the surrounding metropolitan area. Elmhurst’s interstate and commuter rail access are among its strongest assets, making it a very desirable community for living and conducting business. Therefore, maintain- ing a well-functioning and efficient transportation system is critical to sustaining the high quality-of-life in the com- munity. A review of existing conditions, including average daily and transit ridership history, formed the basis for the development of the transportation framework and functional classification. Through this analysis, pri- Commuter and freight rail tracks ority improvement areas were identified, as well as general improvements or suggestions to manage population and employment growth, relative to a functional and efficient 8. Improve wayfinding signage throughout the city to aid transportation system. This section provides an overview pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists in locating and of the transportation network in Elmhurst and offers some accessing key community facilities. recommendations to sustain and strengthen community mobility. Goal 2: Maintain and determine adequate parking facilities to serve land uses throughout the city. gOALS and Objectives Objectives: Goal 1: Continue to enhance mobility within the City by 1. Actively monitor, manage and address on-street and effectively managing local traffic issues and anticipating the off-street parking needs within the city to ensure ad- impact of future development on current traffic patterns. equate and conveniently located parking to serve all current and future land uses. Objectives: 2. Pursue opportunities for the reconfiguration of off- 1. Minimize regional (non-local) and commercial traf- street parking lots, structures and the establishment of fic through single-family residential neighborhoods in shared parking agreements to meet parking demands Elmhurst. within neighborhood commercial areas in a coordi- 2. Manage traffic growth on functionally classified nated and efficient manner. as local or collector, and on sensitive arterials (narrow right-of-way and fronting residential uses) through Goal 3: Leverage existing mass transit systems ( and measures. Pace) to encourage transit-oriented development and inter- 3. Utilize the City’s Functional Classification Map of City modal connections. streets for Elmhurst as the basis for traffic control and regulatory signing, land use and access control and Objectives: overall street design. 1. Implement the Downtown Plan (2006), which rec- 4. Ensure adequate surface conditions to accommo- ommends a transit-supportive development program date required traffic volumes. around Elmhurst’s Metra commuter station. 5. Ensure adequate capacity and safe design of street in- 2. Implement infrastructure improvements, such as land- tersections and interchanges. scaping, street furniture, and bus stop enclosures, in 6. Continue to provide adequate street lighting in order order to encourage transit usage throughout the city. to minimize potential traffic conflicts. 3. Explore Pace bus routing improvements to more com- 7. Ensure adequate resources for the improvement and pletely serve residents and commuters using the Metra maintenance of streets and public rights-of-way in the station, as well as improve routing of Pace bus service city. between major economic activity areas within and sur- rounding Elmhurst.

City of Elmhurst 46 Comprehensive Plan TRANSPORTATION ------tion 4 and graphi t Classifica t ree St Figure Figure 14: Functional Street Classifica tional Func tion tion in the city, including bicycles, pedestrians transit, and as well as incentives for carpooling and alter usage. fuel vehicle native including new traffic calming measures if if necessary. measures new traffic calming including continue should system street overall the of design The streets. complete of the development encourage to parking through ridership Metra increased Encourage accommodation, access management and transit-ori Encourage the continuation and expansion of Pace servicebus in the city. Provide options for alternative modes of transporta Consolidate access in large parking areas, reduced including and centers shopping in cross-easements arterial roadways. major to cuts ented development surrounding the station. surrounding development ented 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Functional classification of allCity streets is a necessary step in determining the needs to of existing streets future and appropriate land improvements uses. Functional classification identifies the purpose of street,the neighbor residential in access local as such provide to is it whether hoods or to move trafficthrough the community to other parts of the A community. functional ofclassification the roadways within and around Elmhurst - is presented in Ta ble 1: Functional Street System Classification cally illustrated in System. tion A network of interstate highways surround Elmhurst surround highways interstate of A network 47 ------City of Elmhurst Comprehensive Plan Elmhurst Comprehensive of City Provide safe and convenient transportation alter trian systems in a manner which complements access. transportation public supports and cies to assess and respond to needs in the city. evolving transit user carpooling, walking and including automobile, cupant the city. throughout biking to to discourage cut-through traffic inresidential areas, Anticipate Anticipate measures likely needed to reduce congestion traffic through Elmhurst due to Access. Western O’Hare the proposed continue should system street overall the of design The substandard streets to a minimum standard, including including standard, minimum a to streets substandard infrastructure. drainage and gutter curb, Seek to maximize the contributions by state, federal and other agencies toward the costs of major road tions to nearby trails and recreational areas. recreational and trails nearby to tions areas. commercial and ticular parks schools, near Maintain the street grid network and develop improve and bicycle and pedestrian Elmhurst. access throughout local improve and to upgrade the opportunity Provide in way theincluding the improvements city, CREATE ( Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency)program toassist in fundingrailroad traf Area To (Solutions START and measures mitigation fic Rail Traffic) toaddress regionalrail congestion mea sures. Seek to improve pedestrian comfort and safety along and at busy in intersections, thoroughfares par major Seek to create a well-connected network of on-street/ off-street bicycle paths to throughout the improve city, including bicycle provision for access bicycle parking. Pursue opportunities with neighboring communities and agencies to create pedestrian and bicycle connec Provide Provide parking incentives for carpooling or utilizing fuel vehicles. alternate Provide a continuous network of and safe crosswalks throughout the city to pedestrianimprove walking. encourage and safety Encourage Encourage and provide alternatives to the single-oc Work cooperatively with Pace, Metra, and other agen Metra, with Pace, cooperatively Work Encourage Encourage the of development the bicycle and pedes oal 4: 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. Policies the guiding for a framework provide policies following The strategies. transportation of implementation and creation 6. 5. 4. 2. 3. 1. G 5. 4. Objectives: natives. Table 1: Functional Street Classification System TABLE 4: FUNCTIONAL STREET CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM

MAP KEY FUNCTIONAL STREET CLASSIFICATION ROADWAY JURISDICTION

Expressways: Expressways are limited access facilities serving Interstate 290 IDOT intra-regional and interstate trips. Access is provided generally Tollway through interchanges however, some facilities might also have Illinois Tollway at-grade intersections. Speed limits can vary from 55 to 65 miles IDOT per hour; the Average Daily Traffic volume (ADT) is over 40,000 IDOT vehicles.

Principal Arterials: Principal arterials serve mainly intra-region- (US 20) IDOT al trips. While these facilities are meant to carry through traffic, North (IL 64) IDOT they can also provide access to major developments. A high level Kingery Highway (IL 83) of access control should be applied for these roadways. Speed (IL 38) limits are typically in the 40-55 miles/hour range but in more in- tensely developed areas, could be 35 miles/hour or less.

Minor Arterials: Minor arterials are intended primarily for trips Grand Avenue County between neighboring communities and within the community. York Street County These roadways are also primarily through traffic carriers but St. Charles Road City provide a much greater local access function than primary arteri- Butterfield Road (IL 56) IDOT als. Speed limits can vary from 35-45 miles/hour or lower in more developed areas.

Community Collectors: Community collectors serve trips with- West Avenue City in the community and to a lesser extent between adjacent com- Spring Road City munities. Their primary function is to collect trips from the minor Poplar Avenue City collector and local roadways and provide access to the arterial Vallette Street City streets. Access control should be low to moderate. Michigan Street City County Line Road City Subdivision Collectors: These roadways are used to access different neighborhoods within the community. There is typically (Illustrated in Figure14) City

a low level of access control. ELMHURST COMPREHENSIVE PLAN COMMUNITY SCAN

Local Streets: Local streets collect trips from abutting land de- City velopment and feed them to higher classification streets. There is (Illustrated in Figure14) typically no access control.

49

City of Elmhurst 48 Comprehensive Plan T RANSPOR

Grand Av.

¨¦§290 Church Rd. Church T A T ION Industrial Dr. Grand Av. North End Av. Rt. 645

Van Auken Av. Van 4 Lake St. Belden Av. County Line Rd.

4 TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES West Av. West Michigan St. Armitage Av. Rt. 643 FIGURE 7: TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES Rt. 645

Fremont Av. St. Walnut Grand Av. Grantley Av. York St. York

Rt. 394 Emroy Av. LEGEND ¨¦§290 North Av.

Third St. Rd. Church CityCity of of Elmhurst Elmhurst Boundary Boundary Second St. Maple Av. Industrial Dr. Grand Av. PlanningPlanning Area Boundary Rt. 309 North EndBerteau Av. Av. Myrtle Av. Rt. 645 ExpresswaysExpressways First St.

Van Auken Av. Van Metra UP West Line Park Av. PrincipalPrincipal Arterials AlexanderLake Blvd.St. Belden Av. Minor Arterials

County Line Rd. Minor Arterials Community Collectors Church St. Community Collectors

West Av. West ¨¦§290 SubdivisionSubdivision Collectors Michigan St.

Armitage Av. Rt. 643 Arlington Av. Pace Bus Routes Prospect Av. Prospect Pace Bus Routes Rt. 332 Cottage Hill Av. West Av. West Poplar Av. Poplar Oakland Grove Rt. 313 St. Charles Rd. RailroadRailroad

CN Railroad Rt. 645 Rt. 393 Pedestrian Underpass Fremont Av. St. Walnut Pedestrian Underpass

Grantley Av. May St.

IL Prairie Path St. York York St. York

Rt. 394 Emroy Av. North Av. ¨¦§294

ValletteThird St. St. Vallette St. Crescent Av. Second St. Maple Av.

Rt. 309 Berteau Av.

McKinleyMyrtle Av. Av. York St.

First St. Metra UP West Line

Berkley Av. Park Av. Alexander Blvd. Euclid Av. Madison St.

Church St.

Poplar Av. Poplar ¨¦§290 Parcels_PlanningArea Spring Rd.

Arlington Av. IL Route 83/ Kingery Hwy. Kingery 83/ Route IL Van Buren Av. Prospect St. Rt. 332 Cottage Hill Av. West Av. West Poplar Av. Poplar elm_border Oakland Grove Rt. 313 St. Charles Rd. Harrison St.

CN Railroad Rt. 393 Elm_PlanningArea Butterfield Rd. Av. Cedar May OldSt. York Rd.

IL Prairie Path St. York Harvard St. 88 S. Riverside Dr.. Riverside S. ¨¦§ §294 Kirk Av. Kirk ¨¦§ 0 0.50.25

Vallette St. Av. Prospect Vallette St. Miles RooseveltCrescent Road Av.

McKinley Av. York St.

FIGURE 14: FUNCTIONALBerkley Av. STREET CLASSIFICATION N Euclid Av. Madison St.

SYSTEM Scale: 1” = .50 miles Poplar Av. Poplar 0 .25 .50 Parcels_Plannin 1.0

Spring Rd. IL Route 83/ Kingery Hwy. Kingery 83/ Route IL Van Buren St. elm_border City of Elmhurst 49 Harrison Comprehensive St. Plan

Elm_PlanningArN Butterfield Rd. Av. Cedar Old York Rd. Harvard St. 88

S. Riverside Dr.. Riverside S. ¨¦§ Kirk Av. Kirk 0 0.50.25

Prospect Av. Prospect Miles Roosevelt Road

50 Future Transportation Framework

Elmhurst’s existing transportation system offers residents and visitors good access and circulation opportunities through a variety of different modes, including automobile, train, bus and bicycle. There are, however, a number of op- portunities for the City to improve connections between modes and to provide input to IDOT as it works to improve important interchanges on both ends of the City. Figure 15: Future Vehicular Transportation Framework graphically depicts the existing road networks, railroad, and mass tran- sit service, and identifies priority areas for transportation improvements. A discussion of these priority improvement areas is included in the following section. Roadway System Elmhurst is a well-developed and mature community with an organized street hierarchy and interconnected system Elmhurst Metra Station of roadways. As noted on the Future Transportation Net- work, four priority areas in which the City should continue in particular, to the commercial parcels along Lake active planning participation have been identified: Street. • York Street and Roosevelt Road : The • Railroad Crossing: In addition to accommodating City of Elmhurst is working with Elmhurst Memorial regular Metra passenger service, the main function of Hospital and IDOT to improve the York/Roosevelt in- the Metra UP West Line rail line is to transport freight terchange to allow traffic from both directions on York regionally. Too often, freight train delays cause com- Street and eastbound Brush Hill Road to proceed west- muter train back-ups which results in bound on Roosevelt Road. The City should continue on major arterials crossing the tracks, specifically York to collaborate with the hospital to understand potential Street through the downtown area. While a below- traffic impact and implement roadway improvements grade roadway exists along Robert Palmer Drive to the as necessary. east of York Street, traffic still backs up on area streets. • I-294/ Interchange: The City should While the governance of the railroad falls outside of the continue to coordinate with IDOT and ISHTA on plan- City’s jurisdiction, the Chicago Regional Environmen- ning for the reconfiguration of the I-294 interchange at tal and Transportation Efficiency Program (CREATE) North Avenue to ensure that an access point connects is assisting in improvements to help alleviate freight southbound I-294 to eastbound North Avenue to min- and passenger train congestion. The City should work imize the impact of highway traffic in the surrounding to leverage assistance from the CREATE program. In residential areas. addition, membership in the regional START program (Solutions To Area Rail Traffic) provides another op- portunity for Elmhurst to participate in regional rail- Complete Streets is a new program administered by the Illi- way planning, in this case Canadian National Railway’s nois Department of Transportation (IDOT). The program proposed acquisition of the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern is designed to broaden the focus of the thoroughfare beyond Railway (EJ&E). This acquisition is a viable solution that of accommodating the automobile, and instead focus for reducing freight rail congestion in the near Chicago on enabling safe access for all types of street users, includ- , including Elmhurst, by allowing a decrease in ing pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders of all the amount of freight traffic being transported through ages and abilities. Complete Streets have been documented the central city. This traffic reduction would result in to improve safety for pedestrians and motorists alike, they fewer freight train delays and back-ups during peak encourage more walking and bicycling, ease congestion vehicular congestion periods. through mode sharing, and improve air quality by reduc- • I-290/York Street Interchange: The City should con- ing carbon dioxide emissions from cars. While Elmhurst tinue coordinating with IDOT on planning for the currently offers a well-connected network of pedestrian- reconfiguration of the York and Lake Streets/I-290 friendly streets and bikeways, a recent change in Illinois ‘scissor’ interchange to ensure that the new roadway law provides the opportunity for the City to leverage state alignments improve overall accessibility in the area, funding to build on this strong foundation.

City of Elmhurst 50 Comprehensive Plan Grand Av.

¨¦§290 Church Rd. Church Industrial Dr. Grand Av. North End Av. Rt. 645 Van Auken Av. Van Lake St. Belden Av.

County Line Rd. West Av. West Michigan St. Armitage Av. Rt. 643 Rt. 645

Fremont Av. St. Walnut

Grantley Av. York St. York

Rt. 394 Emroy Av. North Av.

Third St. Second St. Maple Av.

Rt. 309 Berteau Av. Myrtle Av.

First St. Park Av. Metra UP West Line Alexander Blvd.

Church St. ¨¦§290 Arlington Av. Prospect Av. Prospect Rt. 332 Cottage Hill Av. West Av. West TRANSPORTATION Poplar Av. Poplar Oakland Grove Rt. 313 St. Charles Rd. Grand Av. CN Railroad Rt. 393

290 May St. ¨¦§ IL Prairie Path St. York Church Rd. Church ¨¦§294 Vallette St. Vallette St. Industrial Dr. Grand Av. Crescent Av. North End Av. Rt. 645 McKinley Av. York St. Van Auken Av. Van Lake St. 4 Belden Av. Berkley Av. County Line Rd.

Euclid Av. Madison St. West Av. West Michigan St.

Poplar Av. Poplar LEGEND Armitage Av. Rt. 643 Parcels_PlanningArea

Spring Rd. IL Route 83/ Kingery Hwy. Kingery 83/ Route IL Van Buren St. Cityelm_border of Elmhurst Boundary

Rt. 645 Harrison St.

Fremont Av. St. Walnut PlanningElm_PlanningArea Area Boundary Butterfield Rd. Av. Cedar Grantley Av. Old York Rd. Expressways (IDOT) York St. York Harvard St. mroy Av.

Rt. 394 E North Av. 88 Arterials Under IDOT

S. Riverside Dr.. Riverside S. ¨¦§ Kirk Av. Kirk 0 0.50.25 Third St. Jurisdiction Prospect Av. Prospect Miles Second St. Roosevelt Road

Maple Av. Minor Arterials Under City or

Rt. 309 Berteau Av.

Myrtle Av. County Jurisdiction First St. Park Av. Metra UP West Line Minor Arterials Under IDOT Alexander Blvd. Jurisdiction Railroad Church St. ¨¦§290 Pedestrian Underpass Arlington Av.

Prospect Av. Prospect Metra Station Rt. 332 Cottage Hill Av. West Av. West Poplar Av. Poplar Oakland Grove Rt. 313 St. Charles Rd. Pace Bus Route CN Railroad Rt. 393 Freight Train Congestion May St.

IL Prairie Path St. York Priority Area: ¨¦§294 I-294/North Avenue Vallette St. Vallette St. Crescent Av. Salt Creek Greenway Interchange

McKinley Av. York St. Priority Area: Berkley Av.

Euclid Av. Madison St. Railroad Crossing

Priority Area: Poplar Av. Poplar Parcels_PlanningArea I-290 Lake St/York St

Spring Rd. IL Route 83/ Kingery Hwy. Kingery 83/ Route IL Van Buren St. Interchangeelm_border Harrison St.

Elm_PlanningArea Butterfield Rd. Av. Cedar Old York Rd. Priority Area: Harvard St. York St/Roosevelt Road 88 S. Riverside Dr.. Riverside S. ¨¦§ Kirk Av. Kirk Interchange0 0.50.25

Prospect Av. Prospect Miles Proposed Shuttle Service Roosevelt Road between Metra Station and Hospital FIGURE 15: FUTURE VEHICULAR TRANSPORTATION N FRAMEWORK ROADWAY SYSTEM Scale: 1” = .50 miles

0 .25 .50 1.0

CityCity of of Elmhurst Elmhurst 00 51 Comprehensive Comprehensive Plan Plan Senate Bill 314 was adopted by the Illinois State Legisla- ture on October 10, 2007, and requires that IDOT imme- diately begin to utilize Complete Streets design principles for project planning and is required for road construction beginning in August 2008. The Illinois Complete Streets mandate requires IDOT to include safe bicycling and walk- ing facilities (appropriate to local context and needs) for all road projects constructed in urbanized areas, a designation which includes Elmhurst. Right-of-ways under IDOT’s ju- risdiction that may be eligible for state funding under the new Complete Streets legislation are depicted on both the Future Vehicular Transportation Framework and Pedes- trian and Bicycle Framework maps.

O’Hare Western Access The potential Western Access to Chicago O’Hare Interna- tional Airport could significantly affect travel patterns and Commercial strip volumes in Elmhurst. Western access to the airport would be provided by extending the Elgin-O’Hare Expressway Traffic Calming from its present eastern terminus at Interstate Highway The grid network of streets in Elmhurst functions to- re 290 and Thorndale Avenue to the airport, and also through duce the pressure of traffic volumes on major - the construction of a north-south highway on the airport’s ways, such as Lake Street, North Avenue, York Street, and western boundary that would connect Interstate High- Roosevelt Road by dispersing trips throughout secondary way 90 and the Tri-State Tollway. This could potentially streets. When traffic congestion does occur on these major be routed along York Road through Bensenville, carrying arterials, however, drivers that are familiar with the local additional traffic into Elmhurst, or along an access road street network sometimes choose to use secondary residen- further east within the airport’s boundary. In either case, tial streets to avoid the traffic. This pattern has resulted in Elmhurst should work closely with IDOT, DuPage County community concerns about increased residential street traf- and neighboring communities to coordinate regional traf- fic and higher rates of speeding through neighborhoods. fic management strategies that will mitigate the potential traffic volume increase that will be created by this project. Existing traffic patterns can be effectively altered to relieve congestion through the implementation of new regulations Because York Street functions as a commercial corridor, a and design solutions. preliminary traffic congestion mitigation strategy could in- clude the following: Regulatory Solutions Community concerns regarding cut-through traffic in resi- • Regulate spacing, corner clearance, and sight dential neighborhoods could be mitigated through turn distance. restrictions from main arterials at peak travel hours. Tar- • Restrict the number of driveways per lot, consolidat- geted implementation of this strategy at key problem inter- ing access wherever possible. sections could discourage cut-through traffic while allow- • Require internal connections, unified circulation and ing some local traffic access. These restrictions could be in parking plans between adjacent properties. place during rush hours only, the times when cut-throughs • Treat properties under the same ownership and those most frequently occur, while allowing full access in the off- developed as a unified project as one property for the peak periods, a time when most residents would be making purpose of access control. local trips. The City has already employed this measure at • Reduce commercial strip zoning and promote mixed- a number of key locations throughout Elmhurst, including use and flexible zoning. North Avenue and Robert Palmer Drive. • Construct medians to control the location and reduce the number of left-hand turn points. Another regulatory option would be to designate affected • Move access points away from signalized intersections neighborhood streets as one-way turns, which would effec- and expressway ramps. tively maintain the residential street as two-way, but route accessing traffic as though it were a one-way street. In oth-

City of Elmhurst 52 Comprehensive Plan TRANSPORTATION ------4 Chicanes are a form Curb bump-outs are extensions alignments: bump-outs: at at intersections that reduce travel curb-to-curb widths. Theyare used to make pedestrian roadway crossings shorter and reduce the visual width of long, straight streets. Where they are constructed by wid ening the landscaped planting strip, they can have a positive effecton the visualappearance of theneigh borhood. They can beused a toat create intersections effect, street angateway visuallyentrance announcing be designed ac to must a Bulb-outs to neighborhood. vehicles. response emergency commodate of of curb bump-outs which alternate from one side of the street to the Theother. road is ineffect narrowed onefirstside from then theotherand finallyfromthe Chicanes succession. short relatively in again side first and streets along lines sight long typically the up break thus combine physical and psychological techniques to reduce speeds. Chicanes must be designed to ac vehicles. response emergency commodate Traffic-calming techniques include ‘curb bump-outs’ ‘curb include techniques Traffic-calming • Curb • Chicanes/curved These regulatory and design decisions would need to basis. case-by-case a on be concern specific of areas in studied appropriate is approach this if decide to needs first City The from a policy point of view. Note that it is difficult to de best work in would termine tools ad what techniques and vance of experience with traffic operationsresulting from will be resultant Equallythe important new terminal. 53 ------Raised crosswalks crosswalks Raised City of Elmhurst Comprehensive Plan Elmhurst Comprehensive of City Motorists tend to drive at at drive to tend Motorists humps: road or narrowing: lane crosswalks and or or road humps can reduce vehicle streets and speeds provide improved visibility and on safety for local pedestrians, however they can equally increase emer gency response times and slow emergency and buses, have potential drainage increase problems, vehicles noise, and increase maintenance costs. Additionally, they can actually increase speeding by caus problems ing drivers to speed up between road humps to make them. over drive to down time slowing lost for up speeds they consider safe and reasonable and tend to and traffic . on slowly narrower drive more side or widening by widths road Reducing walks intermittently, introducing medians, walksor striping intermittently, traffic can lanes reduce bike speeds. parking On-street placement (protected by and made more visible nar Road effect. same the achieve can landscaping) by the have rowings added of the reducing advantage ex reduc thus pedestrians, by crossed be to road of panse time. pedestrianing crossing streets closeseffectively street that to allbutlocal traf fic. These dead-ends, however, could negatively im- pact the long-term circulation pattern for the City. It could alsoemergency raise concerns the among City’s response personnel because of reduced accessibility, which results in increased travel times for emergency calls. esign Solutions • Cul-de-sacs: The creationof cul-de-sacson through • Raised • Street While While new regulations and enforcement initiatives would help to minimize traffic impacts minimize thedesign solutions need investment, capital for in neighborhoods and may be necessary to permanently alter trafficflow in cer D In order to support these regulatory efforts, the City may want to consider increasing police patrols targeted to enforcement, engage as in it has done are likely more to theMotorists abide by throughout City. at select locations results newconsistently when regulations non-compliance in a police citation. areas. problem tain er words, cars er could only words, make the right turns onto neigh borhood street from a main arterial and drivers the onto main turning arterial from the neighborhood street could the reduce could pattern traffic This turns. right make only number of through drivers in residential areas by restrict the including Elmhurst, in locations Some access. some ing intersections of Michigan and Addison Streets with North this pattern. employ already Avenue, attitudes and practices towards the various solutions. Thus, the City should continue to monitor plans through the de- sign process to roadway opening to manage impacts as best edestrian-friendly” can be defined as as possible. “Pa built environment that is friendly to the presence of people living, shopping, visiting, enjoying or spending time in an area. Driveway Access These corridors typically offer elements such as While discussed in separate sub-area plans in Chapter 3: sidewalks, crosswalks, pedestrian amenities, an Land Use and Development, it is important to mention again interconnected street network, access to mass the significance of controlled access. In any new design transit, vehicular buffers, landscape plantings guidelines or regulations for commercial developments, and street furniture. access management should be stressed. This includes con- solidating access points and curb cuts to large parking lots, which can be achieved through forming cross-easements in parking lots, or, more simply, consolidating parking needs are not conducive for walking. Most of the commercial and sharing space between users. Additionally, curb cuts and employment areas outside the downtown (except for and driveways on both sides of the street should be aligned the Spring Road business district) are auto-oriented. These as much as possible, minimizing potential conflict points areas are characterized by buildings placed behind large along a corridor. surface parking lots greatly reducing accessibility from the . Additionally, Elmhurst does not have dedicated Wayfinding bike lanes on its roadways. The pedestrian network in the The concept of wayfinding, or the ability of a person to find city is interrupted by arterial roadways such as North Av- his or her way to a given destination, will be discussed fur- enue, Lake Street, York Street and Butterfield Road, and re- ther in Chapter 10: Urban Design, but should be touched lated auto-oriented development. The high vehicular speed upon here relative to transportation. The construction and high traffic volumes act as a barrier making it difficult of wayfinding elements can be in the form of simple sig- for pedestrians to cross these roadways. To improve access nage, or the orientation of a building to its larger site. As and safety, pedestrian underpasses have been provided at Elmhurst is located between several major expressway two locations on North Avenue. These underpasses provide system interchanges with multiple ramps and transition a safe crossing option for pedestrians, including school stu- points, it can sometimes be confusing to understand where dents, as well as enhance connectivity to the Illinois Prairie the appropriate exit or entrance point is. This is specifically Path and other bicycle/walking trails. true with access to Highway 294 off of North Avenue. It is extremely important to have signage that helps residents While the existing bicycle and pedestrian networks are and visitors find their destinations, and Elmhurst should good, the completion of planned bikeway projects and the work with IDOT to identify and improve confusing access construction of additional sidewalks could ensure that all points, such as the Hwy 294/North Avenue interchange residents of Elmhurst can choose to walk or ride a bike to identified above. any destination in the city. Planning for right-of-way should consider needs based on multimodal network performance Bicycle and Pedestrian Access measures that seek to balance community character and ca- Elmhurst offers a well-connected street network character- pacity enhancement or congestion relief. Figure 16: Future ized by tree-lined streets and continuous sidewalks that are Pedestrian and Bicycle Framework graphically depicts the laid out in a traditional grid pattern. Sidewalks are present following opportunities: throughout most of the city. The Illinois Prairie Path, a re- gional hiking and biking trail, provides a convenient and • Bikeway connections: A number of local bikeways continuous east-west pedestrian connection through the that would significantly increase bike accessibility city. Other trails along Salt Creek are under construction, are in the planning stages. Two extensions of these and, when complete, will form a strong north-south bike planned bikeways would function to complete the sys- path connection to existing regional trails, including the tem and provide even more options for connectivity. Great Western Trail, which is located to the northwest of • Sidewalk network improvements: While the City’s the city. network for sidewalks is strong, a few areas still lack consistent sidewalks. The construction of sidewalks in Although Elmhurst generally can be defined as “pedestri- these remaining areas would complete the City’s net- an-friendly”, several areas within the city work and provide continuous pedestrian access.

City of Elmhurst 54 Comprehensive Plan Grand Av.

¨¦§290 Church Rd. Church Industrial Dr. Grand Av. North End Av. Rt. 645 Van Auken Av. Van Lake St. Belden Av.

County Line Rd. West Av. West Michigan St. Armitage Av. Rt. 643 Rt. 645

Fremont Av. St. Walnut

Grantley Av. York St. York

Rt. 394 Emroy Av. North Av.

Third St. Second St. Maple Av.

Rt. 309 Berteau Av. Myrtle Av.

First St. Park Av. Metra UP West Line Alexander Blvd.

Church St. ¨¦§290 Arlington Av. Prospect Av. Prospect Rt. 332 Cottage Hill Av. West Av. West Poplar Av. Poplar Oakland Grove Rt. 313 St. Charles Rd. CN Railroad Rt. 393

May St. TRANSPORTATION

IL Prairie Path St. York Grand Av. ¨¦§294

Vallette St. Vallette St. B Crescent Av. ¨¦§290 McKinley Av.

York St. Church Rd. Church Berkley Av.

Euclid Av. Madison St. Industrial Dr. Grand Av. North End Av. Rt. 645

Poplar Av. Poplar LEGEND Parcels_PlanningArea 4

Spring Rd. IL Route 83/ Kingery Hwy. Kingery 83/ Route IL Van Buren St. Auken Av. Van elm_border Lake St. Belden Av. City of Elmhurst Boundary Harrison St.

County Line Rd. Elm_PlanningAreaPlanning Area Boundary Butterfield Rd. Av. Cedar Old York Rd. B Harvard St. Metra Station

West Av. West 88

S. Riverside Dr.. Riverside S. ¨¦§ Pace Bus Route Kirk Av. Kirk 0 0.50.25 Michigan St. Rt. 643 Prospect Av. Prospect Miles Armitage Av. Roosevelt Road Pedestrian Underpass Regional Bikeway Rt. 645

Fremont Av. St. Walnut Planned Regional Bikeway

Grantley Av. Railroad York St. York

Rt. 394 Emroy Av. Bike Parking Priority North Av. Sidewalk Construction Priority Third St. Roadways Eligible for Complete Streets Second St. A C

Maple Av. Treatment

Rt. 309 Berteau Av. Myrtle Av. Local Bikeway Connections: First St. Park Av. Metra UP West Line Existing Alexander Blvd. Planned

Church St. Proposed ¨¦§290 A Bikeway Connections: Arlington Av.

Prospect Av. Prospect A number of local bikeways that Rt. 332 Cottage Hill Av. West Av. West Poplar Av. Poplar Oakland Grove Rt. 313 St. Charles Rd. would signi cantly increase bike CN Railroad Rt. 393 accessibility are in the planning stages. Two extensions of these May St. planned bikeways would function to

IL Prairie Path St. York complete the system and provide even ¨¦§294 more options for connectivity. C C Vallette St. Vallette St. B Crescent Av. Sidewalk Network Improvements: While the city’s network for sidewalks is strong, a few areas still lack D McKinley Av. York St. consistent sidewalks. e construction of sidewalks in these Berkley Av. remaining areas would complete the

Euclid Av. Madison St. A city’s network and provide continuous pedestrian access.

Poplar Av. Poplar C Secure BikeParcels_PlanningArea Parking:

Salt Creek Spring Rd. IL Route 83/ Kingery Hwy. Kingery 83/ Route IL e provision of secure bicycle Van Buren St. parking facilitieselm_border would remove an Harrison St. obstacle to bike usage and encourage B bicycling to Elm_PlanningAreathe Metra Station, the

Greenway Butterfield Rd. Av. Cedar Old York Rd. Downtown area, and neighborhood Harvard St. commercial areas. 88 S. Riverside Dr.. Riverside S. ¨¦§ Kirk Av. Kirk D Future0 Salt Creek0.50.25

Prospect Av. Prospect Greenway Bikeway:Miles Roosevelt Road Ultimate alignment of regional bike path in this area to be determined by Elmhurst Park District. FIGURE 16: FUTURE PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE N FRAMEWORK Scale: 1” = .50 miles

0 .25 .50 1.0

CityCity of of Elmhurst Elmhurst 00 55 Comprehensive Comprehensive Plan Plan • Secure bike parking: The provision of secure bicycle parking facilities would remove an obstacle to bike us- age and bicycling to the Metra station, the downtown area, and the York/Vallette and Spring Road business districts.

Additional opportunities to improve the bicycle and pedes- trian framework include:

• Urban design features: Bicycle lanes should have unique signage and uniform striping throughout the city to signalize the alternative use of these pathways and signalize the presence of non-vehicular traffic. • Funding: One source of funding for the completion of the bicycle and pedestrian network is the IDOT Com- plete Streets program, discussed earlier in this chap- ter. Elmhurst’s Metra station is convenient to Downtown shops • Regional connections: Planning efforts to complete the system should especially pay attention to providing Ogilvie Transportation Center in Downtown Chicago. The connections outside of Elmhurst. Regional trails, such city’s downtown Metra train station is easily accessible to as the Illinois Prairie Path and Salt Creek Greenway, vehicular, pedestrian, and bike traffic, and is the busiest sta- should be maintained within the city. tion on the entire Metra Union Pacific West Line. • Municipal coordination: Bicycle lanes on through- streets should be continued across municipal bound- The Metra station is a significant asset for Elmhurst pro- aries. Coordination with surrounding communities viding its residents convenient access to Downtown Chi- is critical to fostering a regional non-vehicular travel cago and other suburban communities along the train-line. network. It increases the desirability of Elmhurst for people who • Pedestrian Safety: Visual features to signify drivers of want to live close to transit and contributes to the vitality pedestrian activity should be implemented within the of downtown Elmhurst by attracting an increasing number city. Further study is required to determine the best of residents. course of action. Options could potentially include special crosswalk treatment (i.e. special markings, Implementation of the Downtown Plan (2006) will foster alternative paving, raised crosswalks/speed tables), continued integration of increased densities of residential subtle flashing lights at key intersections that lack development and commercial services downtown, result- other traffic calming devices, pedestrian refuges in the ing in a transit-oriented community, decreasing excess ve- median of wide intersections, pedestrian over hicular traffic through transit usage. high capacity roadways, and curb bump-outs on local streets. Pace Public Transportation System Pace provides bus service within Elmhurst. Seven fixed Pace bus routes pass through or circulate within the city, Elmhurst has a number of mass transit options, including providing access to destinations within Elmhurst and in a well-designed and used Metra station in the downtown neighboring communities. Several of the Pace routes con- area, and seven Pace suburban bus routes. An overview of nect the Elmhurst Metra Station to major employment des- these modes and recommendations for improvement fol- tinations within the city, enhancing accessibility options for low. Specific recommendations relative to the downtown, employees. including the downtown Elmhurst Metra Station, can be found under separate cover in the Downtown Plan (2006). In addition to the fixed route services, Pace also provides paratransit services for the disabled in compliance with the Metra American with Disabilities Act (ADA). It is a curb-to-curb The commuter rail serves Elmhurst frequently on weekdays service operating within three-quarters of a mile of Pace’s (and slightly less frequently on weekends) on Metra’s Union regular fixed routes during the same hours and days as the Pacific West Line, which connects to the fixed route service.

City of Elmhurst 56 Comprehensive Plan TRANSPORTATION - - - 4 ing ing strategies to achieve successful of implementation de Management Congestion Increased population and employment growth around Elmhurst have in the potential increase and traffic con Modes Alternative Elmhurst has a well-designed and comprehensive street network. TheCity should leverage this encourag by sired transportation improvements. Policy numbers at sired the transportation improvements. end of each implementation action correspond with the the chapter. of the outset at stated policies increase, As the volumes through gestion the community. City should commission further studies to address traffic issues. Theintent congestion of management strategies – local traffic calmingand regional accessmanagement – should be made clear in the study and relevant strategies 4, 5] [Policies suggested. ing multi-modal transportation options, “completing the street” by using each corridor to its fullest reducing capacity vehicles miles and traveled (VMT). With gas prices times and equally commuting looking are rising, residents to utilize all available options. Priority should be given to city- a creating and network sidewalk urban the completing through be may this of phase first The system. bicycle wide Commuter parking adjacent to the Metra station Metra the to adjacent parking Commuter 57 ------Chapter Chapter 3: ), is especially affected City of Elmhurst Comprehensive Plan Elmhurst Comprehensive of City ion t a t ransit mplemen I The Elmhurst Employment District sub-area ( ning ning the construction of a new facility roughly bound by Roosevelt Road, York Street, Harvard Street, hos the with partnering and consider should City The Euclid Avenue. servicebetween shuttle a whether evaluate to Pace and pital the Metra and hospital campus would mitigate the traffic impact of the new hospital’s location on Street, York and provide an alternate accessibility option for patients and staff. Alternatively, theCity could partner with evaluate Pace whether any to existing bus routes could be altered to incorporate a route between the Metra Station and the hospital, as well as between Elmhurst neighborhoods and the new medical campus. Land Use and Development Pattern by transportation network accessibility because of the in goods, of services, into personnel and movement of tensity and throughout the site. Thearea is servedby aPace bus commut Metra the from service hour rush providing route er rail station in downtown Elmhurst. Convenient transit access makes it easier for businesses to attract and retain a wider range of employees enhancing their competitive the in maintained be should district the service to Bus ness. future, and enhanced as needs arise in cooperation with business owners. Bus service should be additionally pro vided as warranted to other major commercial centers for transportation. visitor and employee - follow thepursuing should consider of The City Elmhurst town Plan (2006) provides a comprehensive understanding understanding comprehensive a provides (2006) Plan town future for recommendations and of the existing conditions improvements. As that Plan states, parking provision is a redevelopment downtown continue use. To land-intensive consol and acquired be should lots parking surface efforts, idated into shared lots and/or vertical parking structures. downtown the into seamlessly blend can structures Parking character through careful design and integration below above, or behind commercial/office/residential buildings. maximize To prime parking for retail uses, employee and commuter parking should be consolidated in tions, key making available loca on-street and temporary parking areas closer to retailers. Further elaboration on transit community larger the within role parking its and downtown (2006). Plan in the Downtown included is framework Parking near T Parking of success the continued to essential is parking Convenient downtown Elmhurst and its transit services. The Down Elmhurst Elmhurst Memorial Hospital is in the process of plan street signage designating safe bicycle routes, with physical bike lanes and vehicular separation as a later phase.

Continued development of residences downtown allows multiple commuting options – walk, bike, bus or train. In- centives should be given to carpoolers and those utilizing alternative fuel vehicles, such as priority parking spaces in lots or reduced parking fees. [Policies 6, 9]

Transit Expansion As transit becomes a more popular mode of transportation, Elmhurst should work with Pace and Metra to expand ser- vices in the community. Additional bus routes should be explored to connect the community business districts with nearby neighborhoods and the downtown Metra station. Higher-density residential development should be encour- aged around transit access points to promote this alterna- tive mode. [Policies 7, 8]

Bicycle and Pedestrian Linkages Stronger bike and pedestrian linkages should be estab- lished between the residential neighborhoods surround- ing the business districts. The City should seek funding to implement improvements and require new development/ Mid-Block pedestrian passageway redevelopment to comprehensively plan for and accommo- date bicycle and pedestrian activity. The following features should be planned and implemented: Capital Needs • Streetscape improvements, further elaborated in Chap- A number of the recommendations outlined above would ter 10: Urban Design. require local capital project funding sources in order to be • Use of mid-block pedestrian linkages could also be implemented, including the connection or expansion of considered to further enhance pedestrian access. bicycle and pedestrian networks, roadway improvements, • Strong linkages should be made between neighbor- and the construction of downtown parking facilities. Some hood activities, such as to the downtown, hospital, recommendations could be potentially funded with state or Cultural Campus and business districts. federal money, but others, specifically related to City-owned • Most streets in the unincorporated residential area east streets, would require City funding. The City should pri- of York Street are without sidewalks, curbs, or gutters, oritize capital needs specified in this chapter and integrate which gives the neighborhood a rural appearance. If them into the next Capital Improvement Plan. The City residents request annexation into the City, sidewalks should also seek outside funding where available, includ- could be considered in the area in the future. ing through IDOT’s Complete Streets program or the state’s • The Forest Preserve District is constructing a Green- CREATE funding program. [Policies 2, 3] way Trail with an underpass beneath Roosevelt Road to link the bike path along the Salt Creek Greenway to York Woods and the regional bikeway along South York Street. A strategic pedestrian/bikeway connec- tion that links to the Greenway Trail and York Woods bike paths should be pursued at the of Roosevelt and York Roads, improving overall access to both of these amenities from the southern part of Elmhurst (see Chapter 8: Natural Resources). [Policies 1, 9]

City of Elmhurst 58 Comprehensive Plan City of Elmhurst 59 Comprehensive Plan

Economic economicDevelopment development

City of Elmhurst Comprehensive Plan Economic Development Objectives: Elmhurst is a mature community with a number of assets, 1. Survey existing businesses on an annual basis to gauge including a strong business community, stable residential their rates of satisfaction with Elmhurst’s business en- sector, excellent school system, and exceptional cultural vironment. amenities. Providing a strong economic base within the 2. Undertake targeted marketing strategies to attract community is essential for the continued provision of businesses which support existing industry clusters, strong community facilities and services. The challenge fac- including car dealerships and institutions which make ing Elmhurst is to craft an economic development strategy up the Cultural Campus. that effectively balances these existing assets while guiding 3. Create regulatory policies and incentives that are development opportunities within a spatially-constrained tailored to the needs of the industry clusters which environment. Single-family residential homes made up 56 Elmhurst seeks to attract. percent of the land use in 2007, while all industrial, com- mercial, and office space combined for a total of less than Goal 3: Increase tax revenues for the City through the ex- 20 percent of the land uses. Developmental assistance re- pansion of the tax base rather than through raising current sources, then, must be prioritized: maximum impact must tax rates. be leveraged from comparatively limited non-residential developmental opportunities. In order to assist in this Objectives: process, Goodman Williams Group conducted a market 1. Expand the tax base and alleviate reliance on residen- assessment that was released in April 2007 to evaluate the tial property tax through the attraction of commercial, existing development environment and what types of de- industrial, and employment development. velopment would be supported by projected growth trends. 2. When City financial resources are used to support eco- These trends, which will be discussed in detail in this chap- nomic development activities, ensure that these funds ter, will provide guidance as the City makes decisions re- are leveraged to maximize economic benefits for the garding the types of development it targets for recruitment City. and retention and the use of incentives. 3. Ensure that new development is financially responsi- ble for the proportionate share of City-funded services gOALS and Objectives and infrastructure investments that are required as a result of the new development. Goal 1: Encourage residential and business investment through the creation of a supportive regulatory and policy Goal 4: Maintain Elmhurst’s high quality of infrastructure environment. to support existing business and residential uses and en- courage reinvestment. Objectives: 1. Target retail business incentives to the business dis- Objectives: tricts outside of the downtown, including the York and 1. Continue investing in basic infrastructure elements, Vallette, and Spring Road business districts. including sidewalks, sewer systems and roadways to 2. Review regulatory requirements for residential devel- ensure that essential infrastructure standards are met. opment and assess feasibility of streamlining the exist- 2. Ensure continued adherence to high urban design ing process. standards within the public way, including landscap- 3. Analyze feasibility of creating additional tax-incre- ing, streetscaping, median maintenance, and lighting. ment finance (TIF) or business improvement district 3. Evaluate installation of city-wide fiber optic network (BID) districts to support infill and redevelopment at to support equitable access to technology. targeted commercial sites. 4. Integrate “green” technology into infrastructure up- 4. Create a stable investment environment through a grades, including the use of permeable pavement for consistent pattern of code enforcement and regulatory roadways and alleys. review. 5. Encourage the design of new residential and commer- 5. Create a mechanism to ensure consistent communica- cial development that facilitates a system of bicycle and tion between Elmhurst’s business community and City pedestrian access. government. Goal 5: Continue Elmhurst’s tradition of high quality pub- Goal 2: Improve Elmhurst’s ability to attract and retain lic education for its children, and expand workforce train- high quality employers. ing opportunities for adult residents.

City of Elmhurst 62 Comprehensive Plan 00

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ------Pro 5 Grant Non-profit Non-profit mem Non-profit Business Grant funding mech funding Grant Association: Financing tool which en Retail Additional property taxes self- property Additional Association: Program: Business District Areas: Financing: Business Vallette Business Service Improvement Road and Increment ables ables the City to increases capture in tax revenue that in order infrastructure from public investments result City The activity. redevelopment continued finance to TIF districts. three has currently membership organization that supports and promotes promotes and supports that organization membership businesses located within the and York busi Vallette ness district ness gram: Uses funds from the Central Business District TIF to attract and expand targeted retail businesses $10,000. to up of grants that bership bership organization that supports businesses located and within the promotes Spring Road business district. community community which engages in placemaking through marketing and special events, physical standards and improvements and business recruitment and reten tion. levied to fund “special services” within a geographical a within services” “special fund to levied ly-definedarea. As of September 2008, Elmhurst has SSAs. seven functioning The Elmhurst Cultural Campus can generate entertainment entertainment generate can Campus Cultural Elmhurst The alike. residents and visitors for choices retail and • Central • Facade • Tax • Special • Spring • York 63 ------Industry: and rces City of Elmhurst Comprehensive Plan Elmhurst Comprehensive of City Commerce Non-profit corporation or of esou Centre: ing R Chamber City xist E ganized ganized and supported by the downtown business verage the highest degree of economic development. development. economic of degree the highest verage sure that the highest quality candidates are considered considered are the candidates highest quality that sure available. become when positions Membership Membership organization providing services and as zation of a skilled workforce in Elmhurst. a skilled of workforce zation es. improvements. ture should be prioritized Infrastructure investments to le should patterns use land development Transit-oriented Metra existing the of half-mile a within beencouraged policies. public supportive the use of through station Visitors to the Elmhurst Cultural Campus should be leveraged to generate patronage of nearby shops and options. entertainment sistances to businesses throughout the including City, - pro business education, business networking/referral, leadership. business and action government motion, TIFs and special service areas (SSAs) should continue to be utilized as a mechanism for funding infrastruc The retention and expansion of existing should be encouraged, including businesses the strategic mobili City financial incentivesshould be targetedfor usage predetermined of set a meet which clusters industry by criteria to the ensure efficient use of financial resourc Planning and economic development activities should development economic and Planning be coordinated to provide regular opportunities for and betweencommunity the business communication the City. Increase funding for Elmhurst Public Schools. Public Elmhurst for funding Increase State the including agencies, sector public with Partner of Illinois’ Department of Commerce and Economic de to businesses sector local private and Opportunity, programs. training workforce velop Pursue aggressive teacher recruitment activities teacher recruitment to Pursue aggressive en Objectives: • Elmhurst • Elmhurst TheCity’s Economic Development Office is Department of Planning, Zoning, and Develop Economic part of the

7. organizations, following the with conjunction in and, ment developers: and owners business to assistance provides 5. 6. 4. 3. 2. 1. Policies the guiding for a framework provide policies following The creation and implementation of economic development strategies. 2. 3. 1. anism to support upgrades and renovations of building Business Diversification Elmhurst currently supports a variety of business types, exteriors through the Downtown TIF district. including the service industry, such as medical and finan- cial services, the retail industry, including gifts, specialty The City maintains a number of revenue sources which goods, and clothing, and the cultural and entertainment help to financially support economic development initia- industries, including restaurants. While there are industry tives, but the majority of monies are collected through gen- clusters which provide long-term stability to the employ- eral purpose property taxes. Additional sources include the ment and tax base, including the medical/dental services motor fuel tax, public utility taxes, retailer’s occupational and auto dealerships, it is important that Elmhurst remain tax, state income tax rebates, and other City fees. a community with a high degree of business diversification to insulate the economy from instability in various market Commercial Tax Base sectors. Diversity within the business community will also As the Goodman Williams Group report notes, the City has create a demand for a variety of professional skills and at- effectively attracted over 220 retail and service offerings in tract a dynamic, skilled workforce. the downtown area. While new restaurants and specialty retailers serve the downtown area, the City should continue Cultural Campus to target business recruitment and assistance to the York Elmhurst’s Cultural Campus is a concentrated area within and Vallette, and Spring Road business districts. While the the downtown that supports a mixture of primarily public, market assessment notes that Elmhurst currently has a retail institutional, and quasi-public uses west of Cottage Hill Av- market surplus of nearly $235 million, there is still market enue and south of Park Avenue. Elmhurst College, Wilder support for up to 200,000 square feet of additional retail, Park, Elmhurst Art Museum, and the Elmhurst Public Li- restaurant, and service uses projected for the next ten years. brary are among the institutions which are sited within the In addition to smaller-scale, community-serving commer- district. The Elmhurst Cultural Campus Collaborative, a cial, Elmhurst could support additional large-format retail- partnership of individual stakeholder agencies, was created ers, including electronics and discount department stores. to steer future planning activities within the campus. These Proximity to regional shopping destinations like Oakbrook efforts culminated in the creation of the Cultural Campus Center and Yorktown Shopping Center, however, may dis- Plan, adopted by City Council in 2004, which provides a suade large-scale retailers from locating in Elmhurst. The planning framework to coordinate future planning and de- City should work with these potential retails to provide site velopment activities within this area in an effort to protect selection and targeted development assistance. The market and preserve it is a unique community asset. Rather than report also notes the importance of the industry cluster of a single plan or strategy, the activities of the Collaborative automobile dealerships to the overall performance of the were meant to provide ideas and opportunities for future retail sector. Automobile dealers should remain concen- improvements to the Cultural Campus area. The Down- trated in the northern part of the City. The land uses in this town Plan, adopted by City Council in 2006, identifies the area, as well as the Yorkfield area to the south, would be Cultural Campus as a planning sub-area and recommends conducive to supporting large-format retailers. a number of principles for the area, including:

Employment Centers • Prepare a concept framework plan for the Cultural The Lake and Grand industrial area supports a cluster Campus, of businesses, including small manufacturing, distribu- • Relate the Cultural Campus to downtown Elmhurst, tion, and service companies, which draw employees into • Protect and enhance Wilder Park open space, Elmhurst and heavily contributes to the tax base. The • Develop a “system” of off-street parking to meet cam- market assessment projects that demand for space within pus needs, this area will remain high for the foreseeable future. Pro- • Enhance bicycle and pedestrian connections within fessional and service businesses are located throughout the and around the Campus, city, with some clustering occurring within the downtown • Establish a unique wayfinding system for the campus, City Centre area. Elmhurst Memorial Hospital, whose and main campus is consolidating at the southern edge of the • Provide for coordination of implementation activities. City, and Elmhurst College, in the Cultural Campus, are also major employment centers that attract employees from The mechanisms and plans are already in place to support other municipalities. The market assessment finds a sig- the coordinated growth and development of the Cultural nificant increase in the demand for office space in Elmhurst Campus. unlikely in the next ten years.

City of Elmhurst 64 Comprehensive Plan 00

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - - - 5 Incorporate “green” infrastructure into public improvements, improvements, public into infrastructure “green” Incorporate roofs. reflective as such Funding The Cityshould assess theneed for additional TIFor SSA regulations Developmental Elmhurst. throughout districts should require that new developments bear a proportion ate cost of their public infrastructure and service - require 3, 4] [Policies ments. Infrastructure technology “Green” should be systemically incorporated as a means infrastructure improvements public future into to sustainability and improve reduce operating and main costs. tenance the improve to designed be should upgrades Infrastructure whether residents, Elmhurst all of mobility and accessibility through the installation of a city-wide fiberoptic network or the incorporation of bicycle and pedestrian amenities into new commercial and residential development. [Poli 5, 6] cies TheCity should implement comprehensive a streetscape and signage program within the area downtown to attract and district business central the between visitors direct and - functionally Both comple should areas Campus. Cultural and local to businesses patrons providing other, each ment 7] [Policy institutes. cultural 65 ------City of Elmhurst Comprehensive Plan Elmhurst Comprehensive of City ion t a t evelopment mplemen I Elmhurst Elmhurst should continue its tradition of excellent pub Workforce D Workforce TheCity should pursue strategicdevelopment workforce design to localemployers and state partnerships with the within industries existing and growth target that programs Elmhurst. tial developments are creating unnecessary procedural bot procedural unnecessary creating are developments tial tlenecks. The Cityshould alsodetermine whether theex isting and development zoning code supports the creation throughout locations targeted at development mixed-use of station. the Metra surrounding the area including the city, lic education through the provision of adequate financial resources and the aggressive recruitment of top teaching talent for its school system. A strong public school and tem willand is employees, an for employers attraction sys produce an educated and skilled workforce for the future. 2] [Policy Regulatory Actions City staff should conduct an internal audit determine to whether the existing regulatory requirements for residen Coordinated Coordinated marketing and branding activities should be undertaken by the City, Chamber of Commerce and In The Cityshould encourage open linesof communication with the business community through the use of surveys, the of identification key Citystaff asbusiness liaisons,and 1] [Policy industry roundtables. of the creation Collaboration Through a collaborativeeffort with relevant stakeholders, districts for which retail business growth and expansion is in Appropriate mapped. and identified be should targeted centives to encourage retail business within these districts should also be developed and implemented. should work with these targeted retailers, including large- City staff format retailers, to assist with parcel andidentification as if necessary. activity, sembly dustry, and other relevant stakeholders to encourage the attraction of commercial, industrial and office space users. An expanded tax base will reduce reliance on residential stream. revenue tax the main as property - follow thepursuing consider should of The City Elmhurst ing strategies to achieve the successful implementation of economic development improvements. Policy numbers at the with correspond action implementation each of end the the chapter. of the outset at stated policies